Those of few of you who have been following this blog since its inception will recall that in January of 2012, not long after the birth of my first son, Eddy, I sold my Salsa Las Cruces frame and fork. I’m pretty sure I did that so I could flip funds into the bike biz, but I honestly don’t remember where that money went.

I’ve regretted that choice several times over the past years, and I’m tired of my fleet dwindling, and not having a bike suitable for the rigors of riding the Almanzo, which has been on my “finally accomplish” list for some time now. Thus, I’m selling off a bike I seldom ride, my Cervelo P2, in order to fund a new tubeset (Columbus Max), fork (Enve Cyclocross Canti), and paint (sexyplans!), so I can build up a replacement for the old Salsa setup. (I still have all my parts.)

Thus, I’ll be able to ride the Almanzo this year.

A Harsh Mistress

The Almanzo 100 has been nothing but a nightmare for me, which probably explains why I want to ride it as badly as I do.

My first attempt was in 2010. I made it 35 miles before my repeated mechanicals (non-drive crankarm kept falling off) made me call it a day. I rode another 30 miles back to the staging area, mostly one-legged. It was sad, because I was feeling super-strong, and it was a beautiful day. Then I drove my Salsa into the overhead cover at the A&W in Spring Valley. Fortunately, it only destroyed the seat, but I was still pretty distraught.

My second attempt was in 2011, and I didn’t even start it. The weather was not what was forecast, and I really didn’t pack as well as I should have. I was getting ready in the hotel in the morning when Dan Lind said, “You know, I could probably be talked out of this.” Which was awesome, because I wanted to bail and didn’t want to be the first one to say something. I would have been drastically under-dressed, and under-prepared, so I didn’t even start.

I’ve missed the last two editions because I’ve been without a cross bike, and the idea of riding my singlespeed MTB on a course with so many hills makes my soul hurt.

No Excuses for 2014

I have a teammate from my Birchwood days who is currently fighting cancer. He is planning to take the start this year, and I told him I would ride with him as far as he could go…or until he drops me. And I will. So I’m cranking out my frame and fork as a matter of high priority.

For training this year, I have the stationary trainer and a few Sufferfest videos. For cross-training, I have a 20-pound kettlebell, a pair of snowshoes, and a pair of running shoes.

I’m not out to win it. I’m out to ride with Taylor as far as he can go, and then finish it myself. Because this is my year.

Longer Scope

There’s a few other races/rides of this nature that I have in my “hmm, maybe” list, including the Dirty Benjamin.